Home Identity Fraud Protection

Posted on 12 April 2017

An identity fraud victim in the UK has been left ‘scared’ and ‘terrified’ after he discovered his £500,000 home had been listed for sale on a popular UK property website.The victim had utility bills stolen from his mailbox and his signature was forged in order to transfer the deeds of his house. The falsified documents were then used to auction the home which was advertised on a leading UK property portal.The Land Registry are now being called upon to carry out tougher security checks as the victim believes he was targeted because he owns his own home.Homeowners who have paid off their mortgages are more susceptible to scams of this nature as no additional authority is needed by the lender to confirm the change of ownership.Homeowners are more at risk if:•their identity has been stolen;•they rent out their properties;•they live overseas;•the property is empty;•the property isn’t registered with Land Registry.The Land Registry offer a free Property Alert Service which more than 50,000 people have now signed up to. The service helps people to detect fraudulent activity on their property, notifying homeowners if the register of their home or land is changed. Restrictions can also be applied to title deeds where a sale or mortgage can only be processed if a conveyancer or solicitor certifies the application was made by the homeowner.Scam and rogue trader complaints should be reported to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.

Fletcher Torrens is a dynamic property sales and lettings team based in the centre of Portrush, at the heart of the stunning North Antrim Coastline.